Neighbors come together<br/><span class='hl2'>Spirit of safety unites community</span>

NORMAN — National Night Out was the catalyst for a block party on N Crawford Avenue, a concert off Pickard Avenue and an ice cream social at Woodlake Estates.

Those were only three examples of the 48 scheduled Norman gatherings Tuesday evening for National Night Out, an annual event that focuses on crime prevention in neighborhoods throughout the country.

Norman City Council members, 15 Norman police officers and eight police cadets visited gatherings to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods, the police and elected officials.

"This was our first time doing it,” said Joe Ray, a resident in the 1700 block of N Crawford Avenue. "I read about it Sunday afternoon and started knocking on doors to see who would be interested.”

Ray said a close-knit neighborhood has been important to him since someone broke into his work van eight years ago and stole his tools. Since that incident, neighbors have come together and "would look out for each other.”

Neighbors gathered outside Ray's home Tuesday for the community cook-out. It was a chance for familiar faces to visit and mingle along with new-comers.

Visitors also included Mayor Cindy Rosenthal and Officer Jay Callaghan.

"We are here for them to answer whatever questions they have,” Callaghan said.

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